Cooling system, thermostat control



Jilly 1, 1947- s. c. HARLEY ErA1.

CUOLIKG SYSTBI, THERIOSTAT CONTROL Filed Rob. 1.7 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 54MUL C. E'HELEY NORMAN B- ERELEY ELMORE Z SANDERS WILLQRD GSKflElCN EHY L. DAVIES Josapu a. Hus HES I a novel, compact and efiicient manner. v

A still further object is to produce a mount- Patented July 1, 1947 COOLING SYSTEM, THERMOSTAT CONTROL Samuel C. Earley, Norman B. Earley, Elmore J.

Sanders, Willard C. Skareen, Joseph A. Hughes, Toledo,

Ray L. Davies, and Ohio, assignors, by

mesne assignments, to Evans Products Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application February 7, 1945, Serial No. 575,626

This invention relates to, cooling systems'for internal combustion engines but more particularly to systems of-this character employing a thermostatically controlled variable pitch fan blade assembly in which the blades are tilted in accordance with the temperature conditions prevailing in the cooling system.

An object is to produce an-.engine'cooling system employing a variable pitch fan blade assembly controlled by a thermostat arranged in the stream of cooling liquid and having the new and improved features 01', construction, arrangement and operation hereinafter described.

Another object is to provide in combination .with a pump impeller in a system of the above.

character, a thermostat which is compactly arranged for controlling the pitch of the fan blades and in which the impeller is actuated conjointly with the fan blade actuating means, thereby to.

produce a simple and'efficient assembly which occupies a minimum of space and which reliably and efflciently operates to control the pitch of the fan blades.

A further object is to produce an engine cooling system employing circulating liquid and a variable pitch fan blade assembly in. which a pump impeller is disposed in the stream of cool-- ing liquid and is connected to be driven conjointly with the fan blade assembly, the thermostat for varying the pitch of the blades being intimately associated with the pump ing on the engine block for a variable pitch fan blade assembly, its drive, operating thermostat and associated parts in a new-and improved manner by which the performance and efiiciency of the unit are enhanced and the assembly and maintenance of the parts simplified.

For purposes of illustration but not of limitation, embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings in which a Figure 1 is a view in elevation partlyin vertical section of-a variable pitch fan blade assembly and a mounting therefor On an associated internal combustion engine;

Figure 2 is a face view partly in section with some the parts broken away, of the variable pitch fan blade assembly; and

' Figure 3 is a side elevation partly in section of an alternate form of an internal combustion 12 Claims. (Cl. 123-178) shown on Figures 1 and 2 comprises an internal combustion engine l0 having the usual cooling fluid jacket. In advance of the e'ngine II] is the usual radiator II, from the lower part of which leads a tube l2 to a pump I3. Th pump l3 forces the cooling liquid upwardly through the engine cooling jacket and liquid returns to the top portionof the radiator through a tube l8 which leads fromthe top of the cooling jacket. Branching from the tube I2 is asmaller bypass tube I4 through which cooling liquid passes to a casing l5, which is suitably fixed to the front face of the engine block. The casing l5 has a chamber I6 through which cooling fluid may pass and from the chamber leads a tube llwhich is joined to the tube l8. Secured by screws l9 to the front of the easing I5 is a plate -20 which is formed with a'reduced shouldered portion 2| and integral with the shouldered portion 2| and projecting forwardly therefrom, is a sleeve portion 22. Mounted for rotative movement upon the sleeve portion 22 is a hub portion 23, two sets of roller bearing 24 being in-. terDosed between the hub 23 and the sleeve 22. Providing a seal between the inner end of the hub 23 and shouldered portion 2| is a sealing gasket 25. The hub 23 is formed with an animpeller in 'nular flange '26 and bolted thereto is a sheave ring'TL-which is formecl with a pair of annular grooves 28 to receive the usual V pulleys, which in'turn are secured to pulleys (not shown)- i driven by the engine as will be readily understood. i

Integral with the sleeve 22 is a screw threaded extension 29, which receives a lock nut 30 bearing against the adjacent roller bearing 24 thereby to secure the hub 23 in place on the sleeve 22, it being understood that the other roller bearing abuts against the shouldered portion 2| of the plate 20. At the outer end 'of the hub 23 is a flange 30a which is secured by a series of stud bolts 3| to the fan blade assembly F.

engine cooling system in, which the fan blade controlling thermostat is housed within the pum impeller. I Y

The illustrated embodiment of the invention The fanblade assembly F comprises a series of fan blades 32, each of which carries a stub shaft 33 which is mounted for rotative movement in a fan hub assembly 34. Each stub shaft 33 has fixed to its end a disc 35 which carries an eccentrically disposed pin 36 which engages a block 31 carried in the rim portion of an actuating sleeve 38. The actuating sleeve is adapted to move axially with respect to the fan hub assembly 34. Movement of the sleeve 38 in one direction is effected by a coil spring. 39 but movement in the opposite direction is controlled by a shaft 40 which 4| and between the sleeve 4| and the actuating sleeve 66 is an anti-friction bearing so that the actuating sleeve can rotate'relatively to the shaft 40.

Disposed within the chamber l6 in the casing I6 is a thermostat 42 of any suitable structure pon return of the tem-' to normal position, the coil spring 39 operates to effect movement of the actuating sleeve 38 and consequently the shaft '40 towards its normal position. The thermostat illustratedis sold under the trade-mark ,Vernatherm by the Detroit Lubricator Company of Detroit, Michigan.

In this manner it will be manifest that the pitch of the several fan blades 32 is automatically changed or varied in accordance with the tem-' perature of the cooling liquid coming in contact with the thermostat 42. Thus when the temperature of the cooling fluid is relatively low, the pitch of the fan blades will be such as to create no or a minimum stream of air toward the engine. This is recognized to be particularly of advantage since it reduces the strain on the motor parts particularly the-motive power fordriving the fan. Subsequently as the temperature of the cooling liquid increases, the pitch of the fan blades is gradually changed so that a greater and greater volume of air is handled by the fan and directed toward the engine.

Reference is hereby made to our co-pending application Serial No. 564,278, filed November 20, 1944, and entitled Variable pitch fan blade assembly," wherein more detail illustration and description of the mechanism for varying the pitch of the fan blades, is set forth and further illustration and description in that connection is not considered necessary for a full understanding of this invention. V

In the form of the invention shown'on Figure 3,

the internal combustion engine Ilia havingthe .usual cooling jacket, has a radiator Ha disposed inspaced relation thereto and a variable pitch fan blade assembly F is interposed between the radiator and engine. The mechanism for varying the pitch of the fan blades is similar to that above described and is in accordance with our co-pending application Serial No. 564,278 above referred to so that detail description and illustration 'thereof'is not considered necessary.

' Leading from the lower end of the radiator Ila is a tube 4.3 which leads to a housing section 44 which issecured to the front end of the engine or cylinder block. Within the housing formed by the sections 44 and 45 is a chamber 46 through which cooling liquid passes, and leading from the lower end of the housing section 45 is a tube 41 which communicates with a lower portion of the engine cooling jacket. Leading from the upper end-of the engine or cooling jacket is a tube 48 which extends to the upper end of the radiator Han For creating forced circulation of liquid through the radiatortubes and cooling jacket above mentioned, a blade impeller 46 is disposed withinthe chamber 46 and is suitably secured 4 to a tubular shaft 50 which extends forwardly therefrom, a seal 5| being provided in the housing section 44 to militate against leakage along the shaft 50. i

The shaft 56 has an integral tubular extension 52 and interposed between the extension 52 and a forwardly extending hub portion .53 formin a part of the housing section 44 are laterally spaced anti-friction bearings 64 and 55. Abutting against the inner side of the anti-friction bearing 56 is an annular flange 56 integral with the sleeve extension 52. The outer end of the tubular shaft extension 52 is screw-threaded-to receive a. nut 61, which holds a washer 58 in abutment with the outer end wall of a sheave 59. The sheave 58 is formed with a pair of tapered grooves 60 to'receive the usual V belts, which are adapted t0 be suitably driven from the engine. The sheave 59 is secured to the fan blade assembly F by a series of stud bolts 6! so that the fan assembly and sheave rotate together, the fan being driven by the sheave. Projecting inwardly from the end wall of the sheave 59 is a hub portion 62, which is fixed as by a key to the tubular shaft extension 52, thereby to drive the pump impeller 49 concomitantly with and by the sheave.

The hub portion 62 abuts against the outer side of the anti-friction bearing 54 and interposed between the bearings 54 and is a spacer sleeve 63, which surrounds a portion of the extension sleeve 52.

It will be observed that the pump impeller 49 is formed with a concentric cavity or recess 64 and disposed therein is a thermostat 65 similar to the thermostat 42 above mentioned. The thermostat 65 has a forwardly extending sleeve 66,

which has external screw threads to engage internal screw threads on the pump impeller shaft 50. Slidable within the sleeve 66 is an actuating member 61 which is operated by the thermostat 65 in accordance with the temperature conditions of the cooling liquid passing through the chamber 46. The actuating member 61 operates against a socketed member 68 into which the end portion of an actuating shaft 69 extends. The shaft 69 corresponds to the shaft 40 above described and is operatively connected to parts of the'variable fan blade assembly F so that upon movement thereof in one direction, the fan blades are tilted oneway and upon movement in the opposite direction, the fan blades are tilted in .the opposite direction, the thermostat imparting movement in one direction and a coil spring similar to the spring 39 above described, imparting movement in the opposite direction. Further description of that mechanism is not considered neces- "sary in view of that given above.

An outstanding feature of the structure according to Figure 3 is the housing of the thermostat within the pump impeller, the conjoint drive for the impeller and fan blade assembly, and the compact arrangement of parts by which a minimum of space isoccupied and the number of parts is reduced to a minimum.

It is to be understood that numerous changes in details of construction, operation and arrangement may be effected without departing from the spirit of the invention especially asdefined in the appended claims.

* What we claim is:

1. In acooling system for an internal combustion engine, the combination of a liquid' cooling jacket for the engine, a. radiator, tube connections between said cooling jacket and radiator, a liquid circulating pump, a variable pitch fan bination of a liquid cooling systemtherefor, a,

variable pitch fan blade assembly, means secured shaft operatively connected to the assembly to.'

vary the pitch of the fan blades, a casing interposed in one of said tube connections and through which cooling liquid passes, a thermostat within said casing and directly connected to said shaft for imparting movements thereto in response to changes in the temperature of the cooling liquid, rigid mounting means for said casing, and means on said casing providing a mounting for said fan assembly.

2. A variable pitch fan control as claimed in claim 1, in which said pump comprises a. rotating vane arranged within said casing, said vane having a cavity therein forreceiving said thermostat.

3. In a cooling system for an internal combustion engine, the combination of-a liquid cooling jacket for the engine, a liquid cooling radiator at one end of the engine, duct means between the upper and lower portions of the radiator and housing intermediate the engine and radiator and I cooling jacket respectively, means providing-a communicating with the duct means leading from the lower portion of the radiator to the lower portion of the cooling jacket, a variable pitch fan blade assembly between said housing and radiator, a sheave fixed to said assembly for rotation therewith, a tubular extension rigid with said housing, and means-within said extension providing a bearing support for said sheave and fan assembly, a pump impeller within said housing, an operative connection between said impeller and said'sheave thereby'to impart rotation to said impeller, a thermostat housed within said pump impeller, and an operative connection between said thermostat and said variable pitch fan blade assembly for operating the latter in response to temperature changes of the cooling liquid passing through said housing.

4. A variable pitch fan control as claimed in claim 3, in which said pump comprises a rotating impeller arranged within said casing and having an axially disposed cavity, said thermostat being I disposed within said cavity,,and driving means common to said variable pitch fan assembly and said pump impeller.

5. Inan internal combustion engine, the combination of a liquid coolingsystem for the engine, a variable pitch fan blade assembly, a sheave adapted to be driven by the engine and connected for rotation with said fan blade assembly, a pump impeller for circulating liquid through said cooling system, an operative connection between said impeller and said sheave, means for mounting said fan blade assembly, pump impeller and sheave for rotation about a common axis and means responsive to the temperature of the liquid I in said j cooling system for varying the the blades of said fan blade assembly.

6. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a liquid cooling system for the engine,

pitch of a variable pitch fan blade assembly, a sheave to said fan blade assembly and adapted tobe driven by the engine for rotating same, said cooling system including a housing through which cooling liquid flows, a. pump impeller in said housing, an operative connection between said impeller andrsaid rotating means whereby the latter imparts rotation to both the fan blade assembly'and said impeller, bearing means on said housing for said rotating means. said pump imfpeller having a central cavity. a thermostat housed in said cavity, and an operative connection between said thermostat and said variable pitch fan blade assembly disposed concentric of said impeller and said rotating means.

8. In a cooling system for an internal combustion engine, the combination of a liquid cooling jacket for the engine, a radiator, tube connections between said cooling jacket and radiator, a liquid circulating pump, a variable pitch fan assembly interposed between said radiator and engine and including a longitudinally movable shaft operatively connected to the assembly to vary the pitch of the fan blades, a casing interposed in one of said tube connections and through which cooling liquid passes, a thermostat within said casing and directly connected to said shaft for imparting movements thereto in response to changes in the temperature of the cooling liquid,

means for mounting said. casing on the engine, and means on said casing providing a mounting for said fan assembly.

9. In a cooling system for an internal combus tion engine, the combination of a liquid cooling jacket for the engine, a radiator, tube connections between said cooling jacket and radiator, a variable pitch fan assembly interposed between said radiator and engine and including a longitudinally movable shaft operatively connected to the assembly to vary the pitch of the fan blades,

a casing interposed in one of said tube connections and through which cooling liquid passes, a liquid circulating pump arranged in said casing and conjoined for rotation with said fan blade assembly, a thermostat within said casing and directly connected to said shaft for imparting movements thereto in response to changes in the temperature of the cooling liquid.

10. In a cooling system for an internal combustion engine,the combination of a liquid cooling jacket for the engine, a radiator, tube connections between said cooling jacket and radiator, a variable pitch fan assembly interposed between said radiator and engine and including a longitudinally movable shaft operatively connected to the'assembly to vary the pitch of the fan blades, a casing interposed in one of said tube connections and through which cooling liquid passes, a thermostat within said casing and directly connected to said shaft for imparting movements thereto in response to changes in the temperature'of the cooling liquid, a liquid circulating pump arranged in said casing, and said thermostat being concentric to and housed within said pump.

11. In a cooling system for internal combustion engines, tubular support means adapted to be rigidly mounted on the engine, a rotatable sheave concentric with said tubular support, antifriction means between said sheave and said support, a variable pitch fan blade assembly directly fixed to said sheave, a housing through which cooling liquid passes, an expansible thermostat stationary within said housing, and shaft means 7 I shiitable longitudinally within said tubular support and providing an operative connection bea tween said thermostat and the variable pitch Ian perature.

12. In a cooling system for internal combustion engines, a housing adapted to be rigidly mounted on the engine, a, rotatable tubular member within a.portion of said housing, anti-triction means between said tubular member and said housing, a motor operated sheave concentric with said tubular member; a variable pitch fan blade assembly connected to one end of said tubular member and directly fixed to said sheave, impeller blades secured to the other end 0! said tubular member and disposed within a portion or said housing having cooling liquid therethrough, expansible means in the latter housing portion, and shaft means shiftable lonaltudinally -within said tubular member and providing an operative connection between said erpanslble Number Name Date 2,169,121 Coy Aug. 8, 1939 1,265,271 Snyder May 7, 1918 2,005,468 Mdoine June 18, 1935 2,284,938 Allen June2, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS I I Number Country I Date 347,917 Great Britain 1931 means and the variable pitch fan blade assembly I 8 thereby to vary the pitch or the fan blades in response to changes in liquid temperature.

. SAMUEL C.

JOSEPH A. HUGHES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

